Just had a vintage Leica M3 shutter curtain ribbon snap mid-reassembly in my home shop.

I was trying to get the tension just right, heard a tiny pop, and spent the next two hours under a loupe trying to source and fit a replacement from my parts bin, so has anyone found a reliable supplier for those specific silk ribbons besides the usual big names?

3 comments

3 Comments

clark.morgan12d ago

That specific pop sound is a special kind of heartbreak. It feels like a lot of modern stuff is made to be thrown out, but these old tools ask for real care and patience. Fixing them yourself is a lost skill, and hunting for the right tiny part is half the battle. I've had decent luck with a seller on eBay called "vintage_camera_bits" for odd ribbons, but it's always a gamble. What era is the ribbon from, does the weave look different on older ones?

blair_martin12d ago

Yeah, the weave is usually tighter and more even on pre-war ribbons. Later ones can feel almost fuzzy by comparison. I've had some luck just using a modern silk ribbon and trimming it to fit.

eva_thompson12d ago

I get what blair_martin is saying about the weave, but honestly I've found some post-war ribbons that are just as tight. It really depends on the maker more than the date for me.